TVNZ admits inaccuracy in reporting on Gaza riots.

New Zealand’s state-owned television network, TVNZ – TV New Zealand reported on the Gaza riots in no fewer than three bulletins during their One News show in June. Following a complaint, TVNZ has admitted that they were inaccurate when reporting the number of casualties as “hundreds of people have been killed”.

“The Committee therefore finds that standard 9 [of inaccurate reporting] was breached in regard to the 8 and 9 June bulletins. 1 News apologises to you for this breach of standards and would like you to know that a note was sent to newsroom staff saying that the errors were unacceptable; and that special care was needed in reports such as these.” – TVNZ

The inaccurate reporting is similar to a previous case that went to the Broadcasting Standards Authority where Rachel Smalley incorrectly reported that Israel had “killed every civilian inside” on NewsTalk ZB’s KPMG Early Edition radio show. Actually, 16 out of 3,300 people were killed in a strike against a Hamas rocket launching pad that was next to a United Nations school.

Exaggerating the number of deaths and leaving out important context is unbecoming of a serious news outlet. It is pleasing to see TVNZ acknowledge its inaccurate reporting and advise its staff to take special care. The Palestinian/Israeli conflict is an extremely sensitive one where emotions run very high and responsible, not reckless, reporting is required. We hope that future reporting of Israel will not continue to mislead audiences.

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Shalom.Kiwi’s contributors are a mix of Māori, Pakeha, Jewish and non-Jewish New Zealanders, who have all spent considerable time in Israel. http://shalom.kiwi/